Maryland Statutes
Family Law

Section 2-301 - Marriage of Individual 16 or 17 Years Old; Marriage of Individual Under the Age of 16 Years - (a) An individual 16 or 17 years old may not...

Section 2-302 - Penalties - A person who violates any provision of this subtitle is...

Subtitle 4 - Licensing and Performance

Section 2-401 - License Required; Penalty - (a) An individual may not marry in this State without...

Section 2-402 - Application for License - (a) An applicant for a license may apply to the...

Section 2-403 - Forms of License and Certificates - (a) (1) A license shall read substantially as follows: “State...

Section 2-404 - Fees for Licenses - (a) (1) The fee for a license is $10. (2)...

Section 2-404.1 - Premarital Preparation Course - (a) (1) A county may discount a marriage license fee...

Section 2-405 - Issuance of License - (a) The clerk for the county in which a marriage...

Section 2-406 - Performance of Ceremony - (a) (1) In this subsection, “judge” means: (i) a judge...

Section 2-407 - False Statements - (a) An individual may not knowingly make any material false...

Section 2-408 - Solicitation of Individuals Contemplating Marriage; Advertising in Solicitation of Marriages - (a) An authorized official may not give or offer to...

Section 2-409 - Signing and Disposition of Marriage Certificates - (a) Each marriage certificate shall contain: (1) the name, signature,...

Section 2-410 - Receipt and Disposition of Clerk's or Deputy Clerk's Fee for Performing Marriage Ceremony - (a) (1) Except as provided in this subsection, a judge,...

Subtitle 5 - Records

Section 2-501 - Marriage License Book - Each clerk shall keep in the clerk’s office a marriage...

Section 2-502 - Foreign Marriage Record Book; Certificate of Records - (a) In this section, “foreign marriage” means a marriage ceremony:...

Section 2-503 - Reports to Secretary of Health; Duplication of Records - (a) At the intervals that the Secretary of Health sets,...

Title 3 - Breach of Promise to Marry and Alienation of Affections

Section 3-101 - Construction of Title - This title is remedial and shall be construed liberally to...

Section 3-102 - Action for Breach of Promise to Marry - (a) Unless the individual is pregnant, an individual: (1) has...

Section 3-103 - Action for Alienation of Affections - (a) An individual has no cause of action for alienation...

Section 3-104 - Contracts Void; Exception - (a) A contract for payment or settlement of a claim...

Title 4 - Spouses

Subtitle 1 - Definition

Section 4-101 - "Secretary" Defined - In this title, “Secretary” means the Secretary of Human Services.

Subtitle 2 - Spouses' and Third Persons' Rights

Section 4-201 - Domicile - (a) A spouse may have a domicile that is different...

Section 4-202 - Rights of Surviving Spouse - A surviving spouse who brings a personal action to recover...

Section 4-203 - Right of Married Woman to Hold, Use, and Dispose of Property - (a) A married woman, as if she were unmarried: (1)...

Section 4-204 - Married Woman's Right to Deal as if Unmarried - A married woman may do any of the following, as...

Section 4-205 - Right to Deal With Married Woman as if Unmarried - (a) A husband may sue his wife on a contract...

Section 4-206 - Effect on Third Person of Property Transfer From Husband to Wife - (a) Whenever any interest or estate of any kind in...

Subtitle 3 - Spouses' Liabilities

Section 4-301 - Protection From Liability for Spouse's Obligations - (a) (1) An individual is not liable for: (i) any...

Subtitle 4 - Services to Families With Children

Section 4-401 - Legislative Policy - The General Assembly declares: (1) that it is the policy...

Section 4-402 - Program Established - (a) (1) To implement the policies set forth in this...

Section 4-403 - Duties of Department of Human Services - (a) The Department of Human Services shall continue to develop...

Subtitle 5 - Domestic Violence

Part I - Definitions; General Provisions

Section 4-501 - Definitions - (a) In this subtitle the following words have the meanings...

Section 4-502 - Duties of Law Enforcement Officers - (a) (1) Any person who alleges to have been a...

Section 4-503 - Notice of Victim's Rights to Victim - (a) A law enforcement officer who responds to a request...

Section 4-503.1 - Report of Abuse to Victim - (a) If an incident report is filed when a law...

Part II - Household Violence

Section 4-504 - Petition for Relief From Abuse - (a) (1) A petitioner may seek relief from abuse by...

Section 4-504.1 - Petition Filed With Commissioner - (a) A petition under this subtitle may be filed with...

Section 4-505 - Temporary Protective Orders - (a) (1) If, after a hearing on a petition, whether...

Section 4-506 - Protective Orders - (a) A respondent under § 4–505 of this subtitle shall...

Section 4-506.1 - Surrender of Firearm; Retake of Possession; Transport - (a) If a respondent surrenders a firearm under § 4–505...

Section 4-507 - Modification or Rescission of Orders; Appeals - (a) (1) A protective order may be modified or rescinded...

Section 4-508 - Sanctions for Violating Order - (a) An interim protective order, temporary protective order, and final...

Section 4-508.1 - Out-of-State Protective Orders - (a) (1) In this section, “order for protection” means a...

Section 4-509 - Penalties - (a) A person who fails to comply with the relief...

Section 4-510 - Nonpreclusion of Remedies - (a) Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section,...

Section 4-511 - Removing Firearm From Scene - (a) When responding to the scene of an alleged act...

Section 4-512 - Shielding of Records - (a) (1) In this section the following words have the...

Section 4-512.1 - Domestic Violence Central Repository - (a) In this section, “Central Repository” means the Domestic Violence...

Part III - Victims of Domestic Violence

Section 4-513 - "Victim of Domestic Violence" Defined - In this Part III of this subtitle, “victim of domestic...

Section 4-514 - Legislative Policy - The General Assembly finds that: (1) an increasing number of...

Section 4-515 - Domestic Violence Program - (a) (1) The Executive Director shall establish a program in...

Section 4-516 - Administration of Domestic Violence Program - (a) Subject to § 2–1257 of the State Government Article,...

Subtitle 6 - Displaced Homemakers

Part I - Definition; General Provisions

Section 4-601 - "Displaced Homemaker" Defined - In this subtitle, “displaced homemaker” means an individual who: (1)...

Section 4-602 - Findings; Statement of Intent - (a) The General Assembly finds that: (1) homemakers have been...

Part II - Multipurpose Service Center

Section 4-605 - Establishment - (a) The Secretary shall establish a multipurpose service center for...

Section 4-606 - General Functions of Center - (a) To assist displaced homemakers in becoming gainfully employed, the...

Section 4-607 - Programs - The center shall provide: (1) a job counseling program for...

Section 4-608 - Staff -- Composition; Training - (a) To the greatest extent possible and appropriate, the staff...

Section 4-609 - Staff -- Duties - The staff of the center shall: (1) work with local...

Section 4-610 - Duties of Secretary -- Funds and Contributions; Government Agencies - (a) In establishing the center, the Secretary shall explore the...

Section 4-611 - Duties of Secretary -- Rules and Regulations - The Secretary shall adopt rules and regulations that govern: (1)...

Section 4-612 - Powers of Secretary -- Evaluations - (a) The Secretary may: (1) evaluate periodically the effectiveness of...

Section 4-613 - Powers of Secretary -- Miscellaneous Powers - (a) The Secretary may make grants to nonprofit agencies or...

Subtitle 7 - Local Domestic Violence Fatality Review Teams

Section 4-701 - Definitions - (a) In this subtitle the following words have the meanings...

Section 4-702 - Teams Authorized - (a) A county is authorized to establish a domestic violence...

Section 4-703 - Composition of Team - (a) The members of a local team shall be drawn...

Section 4-704 - Purpose - (a) The purpose of a local team is to prevent...

Section 4-705 - Access to Information - On request of the chair of a local team and...

Section 4-706 - Closed and Public Meetings; Violations - (a) Meetings of a local team shall be closed to...

Section 4-707 - Confidentiality - (a) Except as provided in subsections (b) and (c) of...

Title 5 - Children

Subtitle 1 - Definitions

Section 5-101 - Definitions - (a) In this title the following words have the meanings...

Subtitle 2 - Parent and Child

Section 5-201 - Scope of Subtitle - This subtitle does not affect any law that relates to...

Section 5-202 - Child of Void Marriage - When a criminal or equity court of this State annuls...

Section 5-203 - Natural Guardianship; Powers and Duties of Parents; Support Obligations of Grandparents; Award of Custody to Parent - (a) (1) The parents are the joint natural guardians of...

Section 5-204 - Domicile of Minor Child - (a) (1) If a minor child has only 1 parent,...

Section 5-205 - Right to Services and Earnings of Minor Child - One parent, to the exclusion of the other parent, is...

Section 5-206 - Right to Sue for Seduction or Wrongful Injury of Minor Child - (a) One parent, to the exclusion of the other parent,...

Subtitle 3 - Guardianship to and Adoption Through Local Department

Part I - General Provisions

Section 5-301 - Definitions - (a) In this subtitle the following words have the meanings...

Section 5-302 - Scope of Subtitle - (a) This subtitle applies only to: (1) guardianship of an...

Section 5-303 - Statement of Findings; Purposes - (a) The General Assembly finds that the policies and procedures...

Section 5-304 - Relationship With Title 5, Subtitle 5 - This subtitle is related to and should be read in...

Section 5-305 - Foreign Orders - (a) In this section, “order” includes any action that, under...

Section 5-306 - Paternity - (a) Unless a court excludes a man as the father...

Section 5-307 - Appointed Counsel - (a) (1) Unless the public defender is required under §...

Section 5-308 - Agreement for Postadoption Contact - (a) (1) A prospective adoptive parent and parent of a...

Section 5-309 - Assessment of Costs - A juvenile court may assign counsel fees and costs among...

Section 5-310 - Appeal - A party to a case under this subtitle may appeal...

Part II - Guardianship

Section 5-313 - Petition - (a) Except as provided in § 5-331 of this subtitle,...

Section 5-314 - Parental Addresses - A clerk of a juvenile court shall keep a listing...

Section 5-315 - Notice of Filing - (a) Within 5 days after a petition for guardianship of...

Section 5-316 - Order to Show Cause - (a) Promptly after a petition for guardianship is filed under...

Section 5-317 - Investigations - In addition to any investigation required under § 5-323(c) of...

Section 5-318 - Hearings on Guardianship Petition - (a) (1) In addition to any hearing required under this...

Section 5-319 - Time Limits - (a) Subject to subsection (b) of this section, a juvenile...

Section 5-320 - Authority to Grant Guardianship - (a) A juvenile court may grant guardianship of a child...

Section 5-321 - Consent - (a) (1) Consent of a parent to guardianship may include...

Section 5-322 - Grant of Guardianship -- Consensual - (a) If all consents for guardianship of a child have...

Section 5-323 - Grant of Guardianship -- Nonconsensual - (a) In this section, “drug” means cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, or...

Section 5-324 - Contents of Order - (a) In a separate order accompanying an order denying guardianship...

Section 5-325 - Effects of Order for Guardianship - (a) An order for guardianship of an individual: (1) except...

Section 5-326 - Review Hearings - (a) (1) A juvenile court shall hold: (i) an initial...

Section 5-327 - Failed Conditional Placement During Guardianship - If, after a juvenile court grants guardianship, a party becomes...

Section 5-328 - Termination of Guardianship - (a) If a local department is a child’s guardian under...

Part III - Adoption Without Prior Termination of Parental Rights

Section 5-331 - Petition - (a) Before termination of parental rights as to a child,...

Section 5-332 - Parental Addresses - A clerk of a juvenile court shall keep a listing...

Section 5-333 - Notice of Filing - (a) Within 5 days after a petition for adoption of...

Section 5-334 - Order to Show Cause - (a) Promptly after a petition for adoption is filed under...

Section 5-335 - Hearing on Adoption Petition - (a) A juvenile court shall hold a hearing before entering...

Section 5-336 - Time Limits - (a) Subject to subsection (b) of this section, a juvenile...

Section 5-337 - Considerations - (a) In ruling on a petition for a child’s adoption...

Section 5-338 - Authority to Grant Adoption - (a) A juvenile court may enter an order for a...

Section 5-339 - Consent - (a) (1) Consent of a parent to an adoption under...

Section 5-340 - Dismissal - If a petition for adoption under this Part III of...

Section 5-341 - Order for Adoption - (a) (1) This subsection does not limit the right of...

Section 5-342 - Petition to Invalidate - If a petition to invalidate an order for adoption under...

Part IV - Adoption After Termination of Parental Rights

Section 5-345 - Petition - (a) If, after termination of parental rights as to a...

Section 5-346 - Notice of Filing - (a) Within 5 days after a petition for adoption of...

Section 5-347 - Hearing on Adoption Petition - (a) A juvenile court shall hold a hearing before entering...

Section 5-348 - Time Limits - (a) Subject to subsection (b) of this section, a juvenile...

Section 5-349 - Considerations - (a) In ruling on a petition for a child’s adoption...

Section 5-350 - Authority to Grant Adoption - (a) A juvenile court may enter an order for a...

Section 5-351 - Consent - (a) Consent of a party to an adoption under this...

Section 5-352 - Order for Adoption - (a) (1) This subsection does not limit the right of...

Section 5-353 - Petition to Invalidate - If a petition to invalidate an order for adoption under...

Part V - Access to Records

Section 5-356 - Medical and Mental Health Information - (a) A local department shall make reasonable efforts to compile...

Section 5-357 - Court and Department Records - (a) (1) (i) On request of an adoptee or adoptive...

Section 5-358 - Urgently Needed Medical Information - (a) If, after a hearing on a petition of an...

Section 5-359 - Vital Records - (a) (1) In this section the following words have the...

Section 5-360 - Access for Adoptive Parent - (a) Subject to subsection (b) of this section, access to...

Part VI - Prohibited Acts

Section 5-362 - Prohibited Payments - (a) Except as otherwise provided by law, a person may...

Subtitle 3A - Private Agency Guardianship and Adoption

Part I - General Provisions

Section 5-3A-01 - Definitions - (a) In this subtitle the following words have the meanings...

Section 5-3A-02 - Scope of Subtitle - (a) This subtitle applies only to: (1) guardianship by a...

Section 5-3A-03 - Statement of Findings; Purposes - (a) The General Assembly finds that the policies and procedures...

Section 5-3A-04 - Relationship With Title 5, Subtitle 5 - This subtitle is related to and should be read in...

Section 5-3A-05 - Foreign Orders - (a) In this section, “order” includes any action that, under...

Section 5-3A-06 - Paternity - (a) Unless a court excludes a man as the father...

Section 5-3A-07 - Appointed Counsel - (a) (1) In a case under this subtitle, a court...

Section 5-3A-08 - Agreement for Postadoption Contact - (a) (1) A prospective adoptive parent and parent of a...

Section 5-3A-09 - Costs - A court may assign among the parties to a case...

Section 5-3A-10 - Appeal - A party to a case under this subtitle may appeal...

Part II - Guardianship Proceeding

Section 5-3A-13 - Petition - (a) Only a child placement agency may petition for guardianship...

Section 5-3A-14 - Notice of Filing - (a) Within 5 days after a petition for guardianship of...

Section 5-3A-15 - Order to Show Cause - (a) On issuance of a show–cause order as to guardianship...

Section 5-3A-16 - Investigation - Before ruling on a guardianship petition, a court may order...

Section 5-3A-17 - Time Limits - (a) Subject to subsection (b) of this section, a court...

Section 5-3A-18 - Authority to Grant Guardianship - (a) A court may grant a guardianship of a child...

Section 5-3A-19 - Consent - (a) (1) Consent of a parent may include a waiver...

Section 5-3A-20 - Grant of Guardianship -- Consensual - (a) If all consents for guardianship of a child have...

Section 5-3A-21 - Contents of Order - In an order entered under this subtitle, a court shall...

Section 5-3A-22 - Effects of Order for Guardianship - (a) An order for guardianship of an individual: (1) except...

Section 5-3A-23 - Guardianship Review - (a) (1) A child placement agency shall file a written...

Section 5-3A-24 - Failed Conditional Consent During Guardianship - If a petitioner becomes aware, after a court rules on...

Section 5-3A-25 - Termination of Guardianship - (a) Unless terminated sooner, a court retains jurisdiction over a...

Part III - Adoption

Section 5-3A-29 - Petitioner - (a) Any adult may petition a court for an adoption...

Section 5-3A-30 - Notice of Filing - A petitioner for adoption under this subtitle shall give notice...

Section 5-3A-31 - Report - Before a court enters an order for adoption of a...

Section 5-3A-32 - Hearing on Adoption Petition - A court shall hold a hearing before entering an order...

Section 5-3A-33 - Time Limits - A court may not enter an order for adoption under...

Section 5-3A-34 - Considerations - (a) In ruling on a petition for a child’s adoption...

Section 5-3A-35 - Authority to Grant Adoption - (a) A court may enter an order for a child’s...

Section 5-3A-36 - Order for Adoption - (a) (1) This subsection does not limit the right of...

Section 5-3A-37 - Petition to Invalidate - If a petition to invalidate an order for adoption under...

Part IV - Access to Adoption Records

Section 5-3A-39 - Medical and Mental Health Information - (a) A child placement agency shall make reasonable efforts to...

Section 5-3A-40 - Court and Agency Records - (a) (1) (i) On request of an adoptee or adoptive...

Section 5-3A-41 - Urgently Needed Medical Information - (a) If, after a hearing on petition of an adoptee...

Section 5-3A-42 - Vital Records - (a) (1) In this section the following words have the...

Section 5-3A-43 - Access for Adoptive Parent - (a) Subject to subsection (b) of this section, access to...

Part V - Prohibited Acts

Section 5-3A-45 - Prohibited Payments - (a) Except as otherwise provided by law, a person may...

Subtitle 3B - Independent Adoption

Part I - General Provisions

Section 5-3B-01 - Definitions - (a) In this subtitle the following words have the meanings...

Section 5-3B-02 - Scope of Subtitle; Effect - (a) This subtitle applies only to an adoption that is...

Section 5-3B-03 - Statement of Findings; Purposes - (a) The General Assembly finds that the policies and procedures...

Section 5-3B-04 - Foreign Orders - (a) In this section, “order” includes any action that, under...

Section 5-3B-05 - Paternity - (a) Unless a court excludes a man as the father...

Section 5-3B-06 - Appointed Counsel - (a) (1) In a case under this subtitle, a court...

Section 5-3B-07 - Agreement for Postadoption Contact - (a) (1) A prospective adoptive parent and parent of a...

Section 5-3B-08 - Assessment of Costs - (a) A court may order an adoptive parent to pay,...

Section 5-3B-09 - Appeal - A party to a case under this subtitle may appeal...

Part II - Adoption Proceedings

Section 5-3B-12 - Authority to Place Child for Adoption - Except for a child being placed for adoption with a...

Section 5-3B-13 - Petition - (a) Any adult or minor may be adopted under this...

Section 5-3B-14 - Notice of Filing - A court shall give notice of the filing of an...

Section 5-3B-15 - Order to Show Cause - (a) Subsection (b) of this section does not apply to...

Section 5-3B-16 - Investigation - (a) Except as provided in § 5–3B–27 of this subtitle,...

Section 5-3B-17 - Hearing on Petition - Except as provided in § 5–3B–27 of this subtitle, a...

Section 5-3B-18 - Time Limit - A court may not enter an order for adoption under...

Section 5-3B-19 - Considerations - (a) In ruling on a petition for a prospective adoptee’s...

Section 5-3B-20 - Authority to Grant Adoption - A court may enter an order for adoption only if:...

Section 5-3B-21 - Consent - (a) (1) Consent of a parent may include a waiver...

Section 5-3B-22 - Nonconsensual Adoption - (a) This section applies only if a parent affirmatively withholds...

Section 5-3B-23 - Custody - A court may not grant a petition under § 5-3B-22...

Section 5-3B-24 - Accounting - (a) This section does not apply to an adoption by...

Section 5-3B-25 - Effects of Order for Adoption - (a) This subsection does not limit the right of an...

Section 5-3B-26 - Petition to Invalidate - If a petition to invalidate an order under this subtitle...

Section 5-3B-27 - Adoption of Child Conceived by Means of Assisted Reproduction - (a) (1) This section applies only to an adoption by:...

Part III - Access to Adoption Records

Section 5-3B-28 - Urgently Needed Medical Information - (a) If, after a hearing on petition of an adoptee...

Section 5-3B-29 - Vital Records - (a) (1) In this section the following words have the...

Section 5-3B-30 - Access for Adoptive Parent - (a) Subject to subsection (b) of this section, access to...

Part IV - Prohibited Acts

Section 5-3B-32 - Prohibited Payments - (a) Except as otherwise provided by law, a person may...

Subtitle 4 - Adoption Subsidy Act

Part I - Definitions; General Provisions

Section 5-401 - Definitions - (a) In this subtitle the following words have the meanings...

Section 5-402 - Purpose of Subtitle - The purpose of this subtitle is to make possible, through...

Section 5-403 - Eligibility for Subsidy - The local department shall determine whether a subsidy is necessary...

Part II - Adoption Subsidy Program

Section 5-406 - Established - Each local department shall establish and administer an adoption subsidy...

Section 5-407 - Funds - (a) Money payments and special services under the adoption subsidy...

Section 5-408 - Eligibility - (a) A subsidy may not be denied to an eligible...

Section 5-409 - Application - (a) To apply for a subsidy on behalf of an...

Section 5-410 - Subsidy Agreement - (a) (1) Before a final decree of adoption is passed,...

Section 5-410.1 - Reimbursement for Nonrecurring Adoption Expenses - (a) If the Department makes the determinations under subsection (b)...

Section 5-411 - Administrative and Judicial Review - An individual who is aggrieved by a final decision of...

Section 5-412 - Duties of Director of Administration - The Director of the Administration shall adopt regulations to carry...

Part III - Short Title

Section 5-415 - Short Title - This subtitle may be cited as the “Maryland Adoption Subsidy...

Subtitle 4A - Interstate Compact on Adoption and Medical Assistance

Section 5-4A-01 - Definitions - (a) In this subtitle the following words have the meanings...

Section 5-4A-02 - Legislative Findings; Purposes of Subtitle - (a) The General Assembly finds that: (1) locating adoptive families...

Section 5-4A-03 - Participation Authorized - (a) The Administration may develop, participate in the development of,...

Section 5-4A-04 - Compact Terms - (a) A compact entered into pursuant to § 5-4A-03 of...

Section 5-4A-05 - Medical Assistance Identification - (a) (1) A child with special needs who resides in...

Section 5-4A-06 - False, Misleading, or Fraudulent Claims - A person who submits a claim for payment or for...

Section 5-4A-07 - Regulations - The Administration may adopt regulations necessary to carry out this...

Section 5-4A-08 - Federal Law - (a) Consistent with federal law, the Maryland Department of Health...

Subtitle 4B - Adoption Search, Contact, and Reunion Services

Section 5-4B-01 - Definitions - (a) In this subtitle the following words have the meanings...

Section 5-4B-02 - Application for Adoption Search, Contact, and Reunion Services - (a) (1) An adopted individual at least 21 years old...

Section 5-4B-03 - Confidential Intermediaries - (a) The Director shall maintain a list of confidential intermediaries....

Section 5-4B-04 - Duties of Director - (a) Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section,...

Section 5-4B-05 - Agreements With Confidential Intermediaries - (a) An individual who applies for search, contact, and reunion...

Section 5-4B-06 - Location of Individuals Sought by Applicants - (a) The Director or the Adoption Program Manager of the...

Section 5-4B-07 - Reports; Consent to Disclosure; Nonlocation of Individual - (a) Within 90 days after executing a search, contact, and...

Section 5-4B-08 - Consent to Disclosure of Information - (a) (1) If an individual contacted by a confidential intermediary...

Section 5-4B-09 - Refusal to Consent to Disclose Information - If an individual contacted by a confidential intermediary does not...

Section 5-4B-10 - Failure to Locate Individual Sought - (a) If a confidential intermediary files a report under §...

Section 5-4B-11 - Individual Sought Is Deceased - (a) If an individual sought by a confidential intermediary is...

Section 5-4B-12 - Regulations - The Director shall adopt regulations to implement the provisions of...

Subtitle 4C - Mutual Consent Voluntary Adoption Registry

Section 5-4C-01 - Definitions - (a) In this subtitle the following words have the meanings...

Section 5-4C-02 - Purpose of Subtitle - The purpose of this subtitle is to: (1) establish within...

Section 5-4C-03 - Duties of Director - (a) The Director shall: (1) establish and maintain a Mutual...

Section 5-4C-04 - Confidentiality - (a) Except as otherwise provided in this subtitle, or pursuant...

Section 5-4C-05 - Individuals Permitted to Register - Only the following individuals may register with the Registry: (1)...

Section 5-4C-06 - Affidavits; Required Information - (a) (1) To register with the Registry, an individual shall...

Section 5-4C-07 - Matches - (a) On receipt of an affidavit, the Administration shall: (1)...

Subtitle 5 - Child Care; Foster Care

Part I - Definitions; General Provisions

Section 5-501 - Definitions - (a) In this subtitle the following words have the meanings...

Section 5-502 - Legislative Findings - (a) The General Assembly declares that: (1) minor children are...

Section 5-503 - Corporations for the Care and Protection of Minor Children - (a) This section does not limit the powers of the...

Section 5-504 - Rights of Foster Parents - (a) Foster parents in this State have the following rights:...

Section 5-505 - Window Coverings in Foster Homes, Family Child Care Homes, Large Family Child Care Homes, and Child Care Centers - (a) (1) In this section the following words have the...

Section 5-505.1 - Annual Report on Voluntary Placement Agreements for Children and Young Adults - (a) In consultation with interested stakeholders, the Administration shall prepare...

Part II - Licensing of Child Care Facilities

Section 5-506 - Legislative Intent; Regulations; Only One License Required - (a) The General Assembly intends that: (1) all children whose...

Section 5-507 - License for Child Placement Agency - (a) Except as otherwise provided in this section, a person...

Section 5-509 - License for Child Care Institution - (a) Except as otherwise provided in this section, a person...

Section 5-509.1 - Licensing to Operate a Residential Educational Facility - (a) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (b) of this...

Section 5-510 - Applications for Licenses - To apply for a license under this subtitle, an applicant...

Section 5-511 - Compliance With Workers' Compensation Act - Before any license may be issued under this subtitle to...

Section 5-512 - Reciprocity - If the other state extends the same recognition and reciprocal...

Section 5-513 - Action Required on Application for License - Within 60 days after it receives the application, the Administration...

Section 5-514 - Term of License - A license issued under this subtitle is effective until the...

Section 5-515 - Suspension or Revocation of License - Subject to the hearing provisions of § 5-516 of this...

Section 5-516 - Hearing - The Administration may not suspend or revoke a license under...

Section 5-517 - Administrative Review - A person authorized to make a placement who is aggrieved...

Section 5-518 - Judicial Review - (a) A person aggrieved by a final decision of the...

Section 5-519 - Powers of Administration - (a) In connection with the issuance, suspension, or revocation of...

Section 5-520 - Duties of Licensees - (a) In placing a minor child for adoption or in...

Section 5-521 - Penalties for Violation of Part Ii - A person who, in violation of any provision of this...

Part III - Child Welfare Services; Foster Care

Section 5-524 - Child Welfare Services - The Administration shall provide child welfare services to a child...

Section 5-525 - Out-of-Home Placement and Foster Care -- in General - (a) (1) In this section, “disability” means: (i) a physical...

Section 5-525.1 - Out-of-Home Placement and Foster Care -- Adoption - (a) If a child placement agency to which a child...

Section 5-525.2 - Out-of-Home Placement and Foster Care -- Sibling Placement and Visitation Rights - (a) (1) In this section the following words have the...

Section 5-526 - Out-of-Home Placement and Foster Care -- Provision of Services Through Group Homes and Institutions - (a) (1) The Department shall provide for the care, diagnosis,...

Section 5-527 - Out-of-Home Placement and Foster Care -- Rates - (a) The Department shall adopt rules and regulations that establish...

Section 5-527.1 - Protection of Resources of Child in State Custody - (a) This section applies to children committed to the custody...

Section 5-528 - Out-of-Home Placement and Foster Care -- Reimbursement for Medical Costs - If the costs are not reimbursable under the Maryland Medical...

Section 5-529 - Out-of-Home Placement and Foster Care -- Liability Insurance and Reimbursement for Loss to Foster Parents - (a) In this section, “foster parent” includes an individual who...

Section 5-530 - Out-of-Home Placement and Foster Care -- Adoption of Child Under Foster Care - (a) The Department may contribute to the support of a...

Section 5-531 - Out-of-Home Placement and Foster Care -- Payment of Funeral Expenses - (a) A local department may pay reasonable funeral expenses, not...

Section 5-532 - Rules and Regulations - (a) The Administration shall adopt rules and regulations to carry...

Section 5-533 - Health Care Services by Residential Facilities for Children - (a) (1) In this section, “residential facility for children” means...

Section 5-534 - Kinship Care Program - (a) (1) In this section the following words have the...

Part IV - Out-of-Home Placement Review Boards

Section 5-535 - State Board -- Established - There is a State Citizens Review Board for Children.

Section 5-536 - State Board -- Membership - (a) (1) The State Board consists of 11 members. (2)...

Section 5-537 - State Board -- Chair and Vice Chair - (a) From among its members, the State Board shall elect...

Section 5-538 - State Board -- Meetings; Compensation; Staff - (a) The State Board shall meet not less than once...

Section 5-539 - State Board -- Powers and Duties - (a) The State Board may adopt policies and procedures that:...

Section 5-539.1 - State Board -- Additional Responsibilities - (a) In addition to any duties set forth elsewhere, the...

Section 5-539.2 - Local Citizens Review Panels - (a) (1) A local government may establish a local citizens...

Section 5-539.3 - Prohibitions - (a) The members of the State Board and the Board’s...

Section 5-540 - Local Boards -- Established - (a) Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section,...

Section 5-541 - Local Boards -- Membership - (a) (1) A local board consists of 7 members appointed...

Section 5-542 - Local Boards -- Chair - (a) From among its members, each local board shall elect...

Section 5-543 - Local Boards or Local Panels -- Compensation; Confidentiality - (a) A member of a local board or local panel...

Section 5-544 - Local Boards -- Goals - The goals of each local board are: (1) as to...

Section 5-545 - Local Boards -- Powers and Duties - (a) (1) Each local board shall review children in out–of–home...

Section 5-546 - Information to Be Provided by Public or Private Entities - A public or private agency or institution shall give to...

Section 5-547 - Construction - This Part IV of this subtitle: (1) may not be...

Part V - Criminal Background Investigations for Employees of Facilities and Other Individuals That Care for or Supervise Children

Section 5-550 - Definitions - (a) In this Part V of this subtitle the following...

Section 5-551 - Required; Facilities Requiring Criminal History Records Check - (a) Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, an...

Section 5-552 - Printed Statement - (a) (1) On or before the 1st day of actual...

Section 5-553 - Prior Criminal Offenses - As part of the application process for a criminal history...

Section 5-554 - Duties of Department - (a) (1) (i) The Department shall conduct the criminal history...

Section 5-554.1 - Cross-Reference Check - The State Department of Education shall conduct a cross–reference check,...

Section 5-555 - Contesting Findings - An individual may contest the finding of a criminal conviction,...

Section 5-556 - Failure to Disclose Prior Conviction or Existence of Pending Charge - (a) An individual who fails to disclose a conviction, a...

Section 5-557 - Immunity From Civil or Criminal Liability - The following governmental units or persons shall have the immunity...

Section 5-558 - Duties of Secretary - On or before August 15, 1986, the Secretary shall: (1)...

Section 5-559 - Criminal History Records Checks in Emergency Out-of-Home Placements - (a) In this section, “emergency out–of–home placement” means an out–of–home...

Subtitle 6 - Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children

Section 5-601 - Compact Entered Into; General Provisions - The Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children is hereby...

Section 5-602 - Purpose and Policy - It is the purpose and policy of the party states...

Section 5-603 - Definitions - As used in this compact: (1) “Child” means a person...

Section 5-604 - Procedure Before Sending Child Into State - (a) No sending agency shall send, bring, or cause to...

Section 5-605 - Penalties for Violation of Compact - The sending, bringing, or causing to be sent or brought...

Section 5-606 - Sending Agency to Retain Jurisdiction Over Child; Agreements for Services; Authority of Private Charitable Agencies; Financial Responsibility - (a) The sending agency shall retain jurisdiction over the child...

Section 5-607 - Placement of Delinquent Children - A child adjudicated delinquent may be placed in an institution...

Section 5-608 - Designation and Powers of General Coordinator of Activities - The executive head of each jurisdiction party to this compact...

Section 5-609 - Applicability of Compact - This compact shall not apply to: (1) the sending or...

Section 5-610 - Joinder by Other Jurisdiction; Withdrawal From Compact - This compact shall be open to joinder by any state,...

Section 5-611 - Liberal Construction; Severability - The provisions of this compact shall be liberally construed to...

Subtitle 7 - Child Abuse and Neglect

Section 5-701 - Definitions - (a) Except as otherwise provided in § 5–705.1 of this...

Section 5-702 - Legislative Policy - The purpose of this subtitle is to protect children who...

Section 5-703 - Scope and Applicability of Subtitle - (a) The provisions of this subtitle are in addition to...

Section 5-704 - Reporting of Abuse or Neglect -- by Health Practitioner, Police Officer, Educator, or Human Service Worker - (a) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, including any law...

Section 5-704.1 - Reporting of Children Living With or in Regular Presence of Registered Child Sex Offender - (a) An individual may notify the local department or the...

Section 5-704.2 - Reporting Substance-Exposed Newborns - (a) (1) In this section the following words have the...

Section 5-704.3 - Referral of Child Who Is a Suspected Victim of Sex Trafficking - A local department that receives a report of suspected abuse...

Section 5-704.4 - Safe Harbor Regional Navigator Grant Program - (a) (1) In this section the following words have the...

Section 5-705 - Reporting of Abuse or Neglect -- by Other Persons - (a) (1) Except as provided in paragraphs (2) and (3)...

Section 5-705.1 - Reporting of Abuse or Neglect -- to Local Department of Social Services - (a) In this section, “local department” means a department of...

Section 5-705.2 - Preventing or Interfering With Report of Suspected Child Abuse or Neglect Prohibited - (a) An individual may not intentionally prevent or interfere with...

Section 5-705.3 - Notifications Where Report Concerns Family Child Care Home, Large Family Child Care Home, or Child Care Center - In addition to any other provision of law relating to...

Section 5-705.4 - Failure to Report Suspected Abuse or Neglect - If an agency participating in an investigation under § 5–706...

Section 5-705.5 - Memorandum of Understanding With Military Family Advocacy Program -- Procedures and Protocols - (a) In this section, “Military Family Advocacy Program” means the...

Section 5-706 - Investigation - (a) (1) In this section, “alternative response” means a component...

Section 5-706.1 - Finding of Indicated or Unsubstantiated Abuse or Neglect -- Notice; Hearing; Conference; Findings Made Prior to June 1, 1999 - (a) Within 30 days after the completion of an investigation...

Section 5-706.2 - Reporting That Child Is at Substantial Risk of Sexual Abuse - (a) (1) A local department or a law enforcement agency...

Section 5-706.3 - Intervention - (a) The Department of Human Services, in cooperation with the...

Section 5-707 - Reports and Records - (a) Subject to federal and State law, the Administration shall...

Section 5-708 - Immunity of Person Making Report - Any person who makes or participates in making a report...

Section 5-709 - Temporary Removal of Child From Home Without Court Approval - (a) If a representative of a local department is conducting...

Section 5-710 - Actions by Local Department and State's Attorney's Office - (a) Based on its findings and treatment plan, the local...

Section 5-711 - Access to Child's Medical Records - As needed by the local department as part of its...

Section 5-712 - Examination and Treatment of Abused or Neglected Child by Physician - (a) (1) In this section the following words have the...

Section 5-712.1 - Providing Information to Health Care Practitioners - (a) In this section, “health care practitioner” has the meaning...

Section 5-713 - Supervision and Monitoring of Household After Child's Return - (a) If a child is removed from a household under...

Section 5-714 - Child Abuse or Neglect Centralized Confidential Database -- in General - (a) The Social Services Administration may maintain a centralized confidential...

Section 5-715 - Disclosure of Identifying Information of Parents Responsible for Child Abuse or Neglect - (a) (1) The Executive Director of the Administration shall provide...

Section 5-716 - Online Course for Mandatory Reporter Training - The Department shall post on its website a free online...

Subtitle 7A - State Council on Child Abuse and Neglect

Section 5-7A-01 - Established - (a) There is a State Council on Child Abuse and...

Section 5-7A-02 - Membership - (a) The Council consists of up to 23 members including:...

Section 5-7A-03 - Chairperson - The Governor shall select a chairperson from among the members...

Section 5-7A-04 - Council Operations - (a) The Council shall meet not less than once every...

Section 5-7A-05 - Committee - (a) The Council shall operate with one standing committee. (b)...

Section 5-7A-06 - Duties - (a) In addition to any duties set forth elsewhere, the...

Section 5-7A-07 - Protection of Privacy Rules - (a) The members and staff of the Council: (1) may...

Section 5-7A-08 - Relations With State and Local Government - A unit of State or local government shall provide any...

Section 5-7A-09 - Annual Reports - (a) The Council shall report and make recommendations annually to...

Subtitle 8 - Unattended Children

Section 5-801 - Confinement in Dwelling, Building, Enclosure, or Motor Vehicle - (a) A person who is charged with the care of...

Subtitle 10 - Paternity Proceedings

Part I - Definitions; Legislative Policy

Section 5-1001 - Definitions - (a) In this subtitle the following words have the meanings...

Section 5-1002 - Legislative Policy - (a) The General Assembly finds that: (1) this State has...

Part II - General Provisions

Section 5-1005 - Legitimation Proceedings - (a) An equity court may determine the legitimacy of a...

Section 5-1006 - Limitations - (a) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (d) of this...

Section 5-1007 - Inconsistent Statutes or Rules - Any rule of court or statute that relates to procedure...

Part III - Pleading, Process, and Practice

Section 5-1010 - Complaint - (a) A complaint need not be in any particular form....

Section 5-1011 - Administration as Complainant - (a) (1) The Administration may be the complainant in any...

Section 5-1012 - Answer - (a) At any time before the case is called for...

Section 5-1013 - Party Under Legal Disability - (a) A party under legal disability need not proceed by...

Section 5-1014 - Warrant; Summons; Bond - (a) When a complaint is filed under this subtitle, the...

Section 5-1015 - Service or Execution of Process - Process under this subtitle shall be served or executed in...

Section 5-1016 - Voluntary Support Agreement - (a) (1) Before or after the filing of a complaint,...

Part IV - Pretrial Inquiry by State's Attorney

Section 5-1019 - Powers of State's Attorney - (a) This section applies only to jurisdictions in which the...

Section 5-1020 - Notice to Alleged Father - (a) This section applies only to jurisdictions in which the...

Section 5-1021 - Blood Test - (a) The attorney for the Administration may request any individual...

Part V - Hearing on Complaint

Section 5-1024 - Failure of Defendant to Appear - (a) If a defendant fails to appear after being summoned...

Section 5-1025 - Trial to Be Held After Birth of Child - (a) The trial may not be held until after the...

Section 5-1026 - Trial to Be Held After Birth of Child -- Procedure - (a) The court shall hear the complaint without a jury....

Section 5-1027 - Trial to Be Held After Birth of Child -- Burden of Proof; Presumptions; Testimony - (a) At the trial, the burden is on the complainant...

Section 5-1028 - Affidavit of Parentage; Requirements; Legal Finding of Parentage; Regulations - (a) Unmarried parents shall be provided an opportunity to execute...

Section 5-1029 - Blood or Genetic Tests - (a) (1) The Administration may request the mother, child, and...

Part VI - Court Order

Section 5-1032 - Declaration of Paternity; Support by Father - (a) If the court finds that the alleged father is...

Section 5-1033 - Support by Either Parent; Hospital, Funeral, and Legal Expenses - (a) In a paternity proceeding, the court may order the...

Section 5-1034 - To Whom Payment Made - (a) The court may direct that any payment ordered under...

Section 5-1035 - Miscellaneous Provisions in Order - (a) In an order passed under this subtitle, the court...

Section 5-1036 - Costs - (a) Except as otherwise provided in this section, the court...

Section 5-1037 - Notice - The court may not enter an order under this subtitle...

Section 5-1038 - Finality; Modification - (a) (1) Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this...

Section 5-1039 - Finding for Alleged Father - (a) If the court finds that the alleged father is...

Section 5-1040 - Sealing of Papers - (a) On completion of a paternity proceeding, the court may...

Section 5-1041 - Enforcement of Order - (a) A court order under this subtitle is enforceable in...

Section 5-1042 - Bond to Comply With Order - (a) In a paternity proceeding, the court may order that...

Section 5-1044 - Right of Appeal - A party has the right to appeal from an order...

Part VII - Miscellaneous Provisions

Section 5-1047 - Paternity Docket - (a) The clerk of the circuit court shall keep a...

Section 5-1048 - Out-of-State Adjudication - A finding of paternity established in any other state shall...

Subtitle 11 - Community Grant Program

Section 5-1101 - Authority of Governor to Award Grants - (a) The Governor may provide funding in the State budget...

Section 5-1102 - Grant Award Procedures -- Department of Human Services - (a) All proposals for funding received under this subtitle designed...

Section 5-1103 - Grant Award Procedures -- Maryland Department of Health - (a) All proposals for funding received under this subtitle designed...

Section 5-1104 - Criteria for Judging Proposals; Awards - (a) (1) In reviewing and ranking proposals, the selection committees...

Subtitle 12 - Integration of Child Welfare and Substance Abuse Treatment Services

Section 5-1201 - Definitions - (a) In this subtitle the following words have the meanings...

Section 5-1202 - Statewide Protocol for Integrating Welfare and Substance Abuse Treatment Services - (a) On or before December 1, 2000, the Secretary of...

Section 5-1203 - Substance Abuse Assessment and Testing - At an adjudicatory hearing on a petition for a child...

Section 5-1204 - Funding - Subject to the availability of funds, the Governor shall include...

Section 5-1205 - Excess Hospital Beds for New Programs - The Maryland Department of Health shall explore the use of...

Section 5-1206 - Annual Reports on Progress - (a) On or before December 15, 2000, and annually thereafter...

Section 5-1207 - Considerations in Protocol Development - (a) The Secretary of Human Services and the Secretary of...

Section 5-1208 - Regulations - The Department of Human Services and the Maryland Department of...

Section 5-1209 - Short Title - This subtitle may be referred to as the “Integration of...

Subtitle 13 - Child Welfare Accountability

Section 5-1301 - Definitions - (a) In this subtitle the following words have the meanings...

Section 5-1302 - Outcome Measurement System - (a) The Secretary and the Secretary of Budget and Management...

Section 5-1303 - Measurement of Efforts -- Addressing Child Abuse and Neglect - The effectiveness of efforts to address child abuse and neglect...

Section 5-1304 - Measurement of Efforts -- Protection of Children Removed From Homes From Abuse and Neglect - The effectiveness of efforts to protect children removed from their...

Section 5-1305 - Measurement of Efforts -- Permanency and Stability in Living Conditions - The effectiveness of efforts to address permanency and stability in...

Section 5-1306 - Measurement of Efforts -- Health, Mental Health, Education, and Well-Being of Committed Children - The effectiveness of efforts to address the health, mental health,...

Section 5-1307 - Use of Measures - (a) The measures in §§ 5-1303 through 5-1306 of this...

Section 5-1308 - Quality Assessment - (a) (1) The Department shall have a process for the...

Section 5-1309 - Local Department Self-Assessments - (a) The Department shall enter into a memorandum of understanding...

Section 5-1310 - Caseload Ratios - (a) The Secretary and the Secretary of Budget and Management...

Section 5-1311 - Training - (a) The Department shall establish and maintain a child welfare...

Section 5-1312 - Reporting on State Child Welfare System - (a) In this section, “foster youth” has the meaning stated...

Subtitle 14 - Child Conceived Without Consent

Section 5-1401 - Definitions - (a) In this subtitle the following words have the meanings...

Section 5-1402 - Termination of Parental Rights - (a) Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section,...

Section 5-1403 - Procedure - (a) An action for termination of parental rights under this...

Section 5-1404 - Trial - (a) (1) Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this...

Section 5-1405 - Right to Counsel - (a) A parent in a proceeding under this subtitle is...

Title 7 - Divorce

Section 7-101 - Residence Requirement - If the grounds for the divorce occurred outside this State,...

Section 7-102 - Limited Divorce - (a) The court may decree a limited divorce on the...

Section 7-103 - Absolute Divorce - (a) The court may decree an absolute divorce on the...

Section 7-103.2 - Child Support and Custody Educational Seminar - (a) This section applies to an action for divorce in...

Section 7-104 - Offer or Refusal of Reconciliation - (a) In and of itself neither of the following is...

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